BB Gandanghari finds self on TV & theater

When Rustom Padilla was still married to Carmina Villarroel and appearing in teleseryes like the original Saan Ka Man Naroroon with Claudine Barretto and the late Rico Yan, and hosting the Philippine franchise of the American game show Wheel of Fortune on ABC 5, he was one of the most promising lookers among the young stars. In 2006, Rustom joined the celebrity edition of Pinoy Big Brother and shocked viewers by revealing on the show that he was gay.

 We recall being happy for Rustom that he had the guts to face the demons that must have been eating him up. He left the country and returned in 2009 as an attractive transsexual BB Gandanghari, declaring that Rustom was dead. BB then started appearing in public in the film version of ZsaZsa Zaturnnah, in the GMA TV series La Vendetta and the movie Happy Hearts as the gay dad of Rayver Cruz.

Recently, she joined TV5’s Enchanted Garden, billed as an eco-fantasya series which blends together drama, fantasy and environmental responsibility. Not being a fan of fantasies on local TV with often atrocious costuming and prosthetics, we must confess to have become interested only when BB started appearing in her role as Michiko. An attractive if not mysterious owner of a beauty spa-cum-club, she holds and hides the portal to Eden. When Aya (Alex Gonzaga) helps her out with a problem, BB takes a liking to her and employs her.

BB who has never appeared in a fantaserye is getting her feet wet and happy to have been told that even when the script was being written, they already saw her as Michiko. 

BB as Michiko on TV5’s Enchanted Garden

Winning directors Joel Lamangan, Joyce Bernal and Eric Quizon, with beautiful ladies Ruffa Gutierrez, Alice Dixson, Rufa Mae Quinto and Alex as stars, make the Kapatid Network’s Enchanted Garden sparkle. It is in this company that BB is able to lend her unique presence. Joining them are TV5’s prime leading men Martin Escudero, Edgar Allan Guzman and Daniel Matsunaga. Needless to say, mortals along with dwarves and fairies clash in this garden world of Eden.  

But even more interesting to us now is the news that BB has returned to a former home Gantimpala Theater Foundation in her new trappings. We are told that when the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) requested Gantimpala to join its fourth National Theater Festival in November with a tribute to the late Tony Espejo, its founder and artistic director of more than 25 years, Joel suggested a new play by Joey Reyes of gay friends in their “prime,” directed by Jun Pablo.

Billed the Kabogera play of the year, Sayaw ng mga Seniora has put together a stellar cast of veterans Joel, Soxie Topacio, Manny Castañeda and Lou Veloso plus BB. When gathered at a surprise birthday celebration of Soxie, the “ghels” are given opportunity to resolve their conflicts, as well as confront their many issues of aging, illness, wealth, destiny, friendship, family and love.    

Joel is an affluent penny-pinching business person; Soxie, a famous antique collector with a boyfriend; Manny, the cosmetic surgeon to the stars who is married with kids; Lou, bikini open producer and talent manager of boylets, and BB is the homecoming queen and socialite.

On her part, BB is overwhelmed. “Simply to be acting in the company of this great cast is reason and honor enough for me,” she tells us. We ask about what she feels of the public acceptance of her new personality and she replies, “It is not easy, but the fact that BB is getting offers means I am getting there.”     

The senioras (from left): Soxie Topacio, Lou Veloso, BB Gandanghari, Joel Lamangan and Manny Castañeda

Director Pablo says, “Tanghalang Huseng Batute (venue of Sayaw) used to be the home of Bulwagang Gantimpala which makes the project doubly significant. Also in the play are Dax Alejandro, Chase Cervera, Christian Paul Meteoro, JohnRon Tañada and Doreen Bernal.”

Meantime, Gantimpala has formed an interim board of Joel, Jun, Roeder Camañag, Roobak Valle and China Cojuangco, with Jun as artistic director.

Performances of Sayaw are on Nov. 16 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. After the CCP performances, the next shows will be on Nov. 23, 8 p.m. and Nov. 24, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Nov. 30, 8 p.m. and Dec. 1, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Venue to be announced. For tickets and sponsorships, call 998-5622 or 0939-9087633.

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